News

Flags lowered to half-mast in tribute to Jo Cox MP

Rotherham Council has lowered its flags to half-mast in tribute to West Yorkshire MP Jo Cox, who died after being attacked on Thursday (16 June).

All flags outside Rotherham Town Hall and the council's offices at Riverside House have been lowered out of respect for the MP for Batley and Spen.

Rotherham Council Leader Cllr Chris Read said: "Jo Cox was a respected and dedicated public servant, a working class Yorkshire woman who served the public with integrity and humanity. People around the world have been shocked and saddened at her passing. Her belief in the basic equality of all people - that what unites us is far greater than what divides us - should be an inspiration to the rest of us, a light in the darkness of such senseless brutality.

"We're deeply saddened to lose a colleague, and in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly difficult time."

Cllr Allen Cowles, Rotherham UKIP Group Leader, added condolences on behalf of his colleagues: "It is clear from everything that we hear that Jo was a much loved mother, wife and MP, taken from all of us during the course of her duties, in which her aim was simply to help others and wider humanity. The whole country stands shoulder to shoulder in grief."